Your wedding dress.
Kind of a big deal, right?
Right.
I was talking with one of my new brides, Sally, on the phone yesterday. She’s going dress shopping with her mom and a few special ladies after she gets off work. She’s done a little research and today is the big day. She’s diving in, taking the plunge and all geared up for wearing yards and yards worth of gorgeous gowns.
Our conversation got me thinking. How many girls have gone gown shopping before? If this is your first wedding, most likely this is the first time you’ve ever gone to bridal stores. Goodness gracious, you have to be prepared if you want a successful adventure in selecting the gown of your dreams. So, sisters, here’s the skinny on how to be a smart, stress-free wedding dress shopper.
1) Know your budget
How much are you willing to spend on a dress? Okay, so now you have that number in your mind. Now, know what stores and boutiques to go to that will have options within your budget. If you step into a high end boutique in a big city and you only have $800 max for a dress, you are going to end up heartbroken. Do some homework from the comfort of your own electronics and search online to find the designers and stores that will find you a winner that fits with your numbers. There are a heck of a lot of gorgeous dresses out there for any budget.
2) Look Purdy
You’re going to try on the world’s most gorgeous dresses, right? Now get dolled up so the prettiest thing in those stores is YOU. That way, when you try on the gowns, you will match and won’t be distracted or discouraged. Do you know what I mean? I’ve rewritten this part about 8 times trying to come up with a non-neurotic way of saying it. But, maybe I’m neurotic. When I go shopping, if I don’t do my hair and make up, wear an outfit I feel attractive in, the chances of me having a good, productive shopping experience are close to 2%. I spend the majority of the time distracted by the fact that I don’t look good, then it makes the shiny new clothes I’m trying on accentuate the fact that -no- I’d never go out in this outfit looking like this, blahdy blahdy blah… Even more so when you’re trying on wedding gowns. Also, when you take pictures of the dresses you try on, you won’t constantly be telling your friends, “Oh, but I look a mess here. And here. And here. Okay, just don’t look at my face, look at the dress.”
3) Hydrate and Eat
Don’t shop hungry, don’t shop thirsty. Enough said.
4) Bring A Variety of Undergarments
Yep. I just said that. Bring along strapless bras, a strapless bra/corset combo, spanks, etc. to make sure you can try on any dress those lovely shop ladies bring you. And, for heaven’s sake, wear some pretty panties, sister. (Refer to #2.)
5) “I’m Just Browsing” -Three Words That Will Save Your Sanity
It’s your mantra. Say it with me, “I’m just browsing.”
You may feel right now like you’re on the warpath, hunting down the perfect wedding dress. BUT. That isn’t the way you want to play this. I want you approach your dress shopping like you were buying a car. Or dating. Here’s the scenario: You walk into the bridal salon. The saleslady asks if she can help. You accept her help, but tell her, “I’m just browsing.” She doesn’t pressure you -and if she does, simply repeat your mantra. You go back home, grab a glass of wine and browse the pictures on your phone of the dresses you tried on. You look online at other dresses, make some notes and let everything settle. Revist the store the following week and make your decision when your gut and your head both agree.
IF you have that magical moment that we women all hope to have where you try on a dress and angels sing, cherubs with big, round cheeks flutter in showering you with Hershey’s Kisses, and Etta James pops out singing “At Last” -buy the gosh darn dress.
6) Keep The Entourage To a Minimum
Personally, I think 2 is the magic number. Two other opinions, two people to help you get in and out of all those gowns, two to help put the gowns back on the hangers, two to help pull dresses for you, etc. If you have a group of women that REALLY want to be included in your dress shopping experience, have a Wedding Gown Viewing Party instead. Go shopping first with your two right hand ladies, then download the pictures you take to your computer, buy a few bottles of champagne and a huge tub of strawberries and invite your friends over to look at the dresses with you and cast their votes.
Now, my Dear. You are armed with knowledge and prepared to be a dangerously good wedding dress shopper.
Go get ’em, Gorgeous!
Kelly Cameron Blog 